324 



CHILI. 



ciently conspicuous for the purpose of distinction, 

 yet of a nature calculated to excite no suspicion. 

 San Martin accordingly, alone and provided with 

 a brace of pistols, went to the spot, where he en- 

 countered Benavides similarly armed. After a 

 long conference with the desperado, whom he 

 finally engaged in his service, he settled that Be- 

 navides should, for the present, serve in the Chi- 

 lian army, employed against the Araucanian In- 

 dians in the south ; but should be ready to join 

 the army in Peru, when the expedition sailed. 

 This was ill judged in San Martin ; for Benavides 

 soon quarrelled with the Chilian General, and 

 once more changed sides, offering his services to 

 the Indians, who were delighted to obtain so brave 

 and unrelenting an associate. In a short time, 

 his experience and congenial ferocity gave him 

 so great an ascendancy amongst this warlike race, 

 that he was elected Commander-in-chief He 

 soon collected a respectable force, and laid waste 

 the whole of the Chilian frontier, lying along the 

 right bank of the great river Biobio, to the infi- 

 nite annoyance of the Chilians, who could ill af- 

 ford troops, at that moment, to repel these in- 



